Introducing Tank Five Chardonnay
There’s something special about a wine that marks a moment in time. Not just in the vineyard, but in the life of the people who make it. Tank Five Chardonnay is one of those wines.
TANK FIVE CHARDONNAY
Our newest English still Chardonnay is a milestone for us at Wiston. Not only is it our first still wine made from 100% Wiston grown fruit, it’s also a reflection of how far English winemaking has come. English Chardonnay is now widely recognised for its precision, freshness and elegance, and this release feels like a confident step into that story.
But more than that, it’s a wine made to be shared. Around a table, over long lunches, with friends and family.
A wine shaped by two remarkable vintages
Tank Five brings together two very different growing seasons, each leaving its own mark on the final blend.
The story begins in 2022, a warm and settled vintage that delivered lower yields but exceptional fruit quality. At our Broadwoods site, young Chardonnay vines planted in 2017 produced fruit with remarkable concentration and clarity. Fermented in stainless steel and aged on its lees, this component retained its vibrant citrus character and mineral precision, while slowly developing texture over time.
In contrast, 2023 was a vintage defined by energy and scale. Harvest arrived fast and full, with the winery at its busiest, receiving fruit at an extraordinary pace. Among it, Chardonnay from Findon stood out. A portion was fermented and aged in oak for nine months, with a small selection held back for extended ageing. This brought depth, structure and a quiet richness to the wine.
Blending these two components together has created a Chardonnay that feels both bright and layered, balancing freshness with a gentle, rounded complexity.
In the glass
Tank Five Chardonnay is beautifully expressive from the first pour. Aromas of lemon peel, crushed oats and a subtle salinity lead into a palate that is focused and precise, with notes of fresh peach and wild fennel. The finish is creamy and smooth, carrying just enough richness to make it incredibly versatile at the table.
It’s the kind of English white wine that naturally finds its place alongside food. Think roast chicken, creamy pasta, or chargrilled vegetables, dishes made to be shared, where the wine becomes part of the experience rather than just an accompaniment.
A personal chapter
For our winemaker Marcus Rayner Ward, this wine carries a deeper story:
“The story of this wine begins in 2022 — a landmark year for us. It was the year Meg and I were married, and the year we took the helm at the winery. A warm, settled summer brought slightly reduced yields, but in return we were gifted fruit of remarkable quality.
From the bright, mineral precision of our stainless steel aged Broadwoods fruit to the depth and quiet power of barrel aged Chardonnay from Findon, this wine brings together two distinct expressions of our vineyards.
Bringing these two elements together, we have created a wine that speaks clearly of our Estate: of its fruit, its energy, and two defining vintages in our journey.”
A wine for now, and for what’s to come
Tank Five is drinking beautifully now, with its freshness and energy, but will continue to evolve over time. It’s a wine that captures where we are today as an estate, and where English still wine is heading.
Now available to purchase online and in our Cellar Door.
